It’s not quite as unlikely as it sounds. When the world’s first state pension was paid in 1909, it was designed to support workers exhausted from a lifetime of physical graft. But the modern British economy is far kinder to the employees that support it. It is also infinitely more flexible about when and where we work – and for how long.

Mr Hawkins said he slaved away as a journalist since leaving school, saved hard and invested in property. He rented his London flat to fund his new frugal life, living on home-grown vegetables and local wine, near Toulouse.

At some point, he said, he will return to work and stay at it for longer than he otherwise would have done, having already taken his retirement years in his thirties. For most, taking time out in this way will remain impossible. But for a growing number working in flexible industries this will become more likely – taking time out, maybe retaining some paid work, to enjoy life and watch their young families grow.

The trend is already in motion with a growing acceptance that those above pensionable age should be able to continue to work if they choose to do so.

The notion was enshrined in law last October. Even without this compulsion, the market has been moving that way. Official figures indicate a sudden acceleration in recent years of the number of those over 50 and 60 continuing to work.

Retire at 30, work until 75 could become a lifestyle choice for many more.

FRENCH PROPERTY

While, loosely speaking, we are on the subject, mortgage rates for buyers of French property are at their lowest level “since the Second World War” (see here).

That could draw in buyers, especially given the vast areas of sparsely populated France where prices are fraction of those you’d be more likely to find in the UK. But is it wise to buy?

The value of a market can be estimated by matching property prices against salaries and – as you would with a business – the earning potential of homes. Then plot these against the historical norms.

On these measures, French property is the most overvalued in Europe – 50pc too high against rents and 35pc compared to wages, according to the most recent Economist house price index.

While servicing a French loan may be cheap, that doesn’t mean French property is.